As summer swiftly fades away, fall approaches with warm colours, cooler weather, and shorter days. But seasonal changes don’t mean your home decor has to become dreary like the autumn weather. Here are a few simple tips to help you incorporate some brightness into any room.
1) Adjust the lighting
Great lighting is the key to fine-tuning any space, whether it’s a restaurant, department store, or home. Start by using the natural light you already have. Not only does this save you money on your electric bill, but natural lighting is believed to help boost mood and facilitate focus and creativity.
If the space you’re brightening up doesn’t have a ton of natural light already, don’t worry. You can use an ambient floor lamp instead. This will give any room the soft, natural glow you’re looking for.
2) Use mirrors to create the illusion of big and bright
Mirrors are your new best friend, whether you’re decorating a small space or just trying to add light to a dark room. When choosing a space to install your mirror, you should look for a place that will refract light onto another part of the room. This will maximize the natural lighting in the room and make the area appear larger.
3) Bring some greenery into the space
One of the easiest ways to create brightness is by bringing life into your home with plants and florals. In fact, houseplants can improve your mood and act as an air purifier. Plus, houseplants are easier to take care of than you might have thought!
These varietals are especially low-maintenance:
- Spider plant
- Philodendron
- Devil’s Ivy
Flowers don’t last quite as long as houseplants of course, but a little pop of color can work wonders for adding brightness to any room. If you’re thinking that you don’t have the time in your busy schedule to pick out fresh flowers every week, a simple search for “best online flowers” and you could have gorgeous blooms delivered right to your doorstep!
4) Be intentional about paint colors
When you’re first designing a space, you want to be very strategic with the paint colors you choose. A dark color scheme could make a space appear dark and dreary, making it difficult to brighten it up no matter how much light and color you try to incorporate.
White is generally a great go-to paint color for making a room look bigger and brighter, but if you’re trying to add some more individuality to your space, take a look at these paint color options.
- Light blue paint evokes feelings of serenity.
- Yellow paint promotes joy and creativity.
- Green paint is associated with nature and harmony.
- Grey paint is elegant and easy to match with most other colors.
5) Be bold with accents
Another simple way to add color into a space is by focusing on accents. While you might not want to have a bold orange couch forever, a neutral brown leather one with colorful accent throw pillows could strike the right balance between eccentric and cohesive.
- Vases
- Patterned wallpaper
- Rugs
6) Incorporate artwork
7) Play with fabrics
Creating brightness in a room isn’t just about light and color. Fabrics can also make a big difference in how a space feels. Instead of going for heavy, dark curtains, opt for lace or sheer ones instead. Rather than choosing dense, knit pillows, silk pillows are a great alternative.
Key takeaways
Creating light in a dark space can feel like a major challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. If you know how to use the lighting you have to your advantage, you just need to incorporate a few of these tips to design a space you’ll love to be in!
